Anyone rocking 2 GK MB115's?

father of fires · #1 08-18-2010, 06:51 AM

I did a search and saw some people recommending that if you want more power just buy a second combo. But, I haven't seen anyone who did it. Adam Bomb runs 2 MB210's and he seems to love it.

I am a vintage nut. I love big old tube amps and classic solid state muscle.

My small rig is a vb-4 and an Ampeg Classic 1x15. That's about 100 lbs right there. I love this sound for practice so, I planned to pick up another Classic 15 for bigger gigs.

My main rig is an Acoustic 370. Just to give you an idea of what I like.

Anyways, I held out as long as I could but, I finally tried an MB115. I picked the thing up several times just to make sure I wasn't dreaming. That thing kicked ass. I took it to capacity and it definitely won't cut it for my louder gigs but, 2 of them will.

I have always loved the original 400rb and I think this captures the sound. I was afraid the digital amp would in some way sound or react differently than the one used in the 400rb but, I couldn't tell a difference.

Am I crazy? I want to replace my vintage god-like rigs for 2 small combos? My younger self would kick my ass. But, my older more mature self is liking the idea.

Also. How is the grill attached? I may try to put a vintage grill cloth on somehow. I'm not a fan of metal grills. Just a personal preference. I could live with the metal if I had to.

So anyone rocking the 2 of them?

JonnyAngle · #2 08-18-2010, 07:05 AM

I only rock one of them. In my opinion, the people who choose the MB115 don't really need 2 amps. What I mean is they would have gotten the 210 or 212 because they are so much louder in the first place, and then double up if they need to. When a person decides the MB115 is for them they think, "I don't need to be as loud as the 210"

YMMV

Yerf Dog · #3 08-18-2010, 07:10 AM

I've been thinking about adding an MB210 to my MB212.

Too much?

father of fires · #4 08-18-2010, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonnyAngle

I only rock one of them. In my opinion, the people who choose the MB115 don't really need 2 amps. What I mean is they would have gotten the 210 or 212 because they are so much louder in the first place, and then double up if they need to. When a person decides the MB115 is for them they think, "I don't need to be as loud as the 210"

YMMV

I liked the MB115 and I don't care that it can't use an extension because it is so cheap. Adding another one is not much more expensive than buying a decent extension cab.

Adding another combo will double the power (It was already plenty loud for most gigs anyways) and still be cheaper and lighter than my other rigs.

It could be my gas acting up but, I could buy 4 of them. Slay any audience and still come in cheaper than half of the rigs I've played.

father of fires · #5 08-18-2010, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yerf Dog

I've been thinking about adding an MB210 to my MB212.

Too much?

Never.

I would love to see 2 MB210's with 2 4x10 extensions. That would completely destroy the purpose of such an amp but it would be cool to see. Maybe one of those new 810's where you can plug into each 8 ohm half separately. That would be awesome, ridiculous, and most importantly awesome.

JonnyAngle · #6 08-18-2010, 09:24 AM

To conclude my thoughts, I would definately consider 2 MB115's but I can't think of a situation for needing 2. Otherwise I would have bought the MB210 if the MB115 wasn't enough.

father of fires · #7 08-18-2010, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonnyAngle

To conclude my thoughts, I would definately consider 2 MB115's but I can't think of a situation for needing 2. Otherwise I would have bought the MB210 if the MB115 wasn't enough.

I like 15's better than 10's. I didn't like the 210 as much as the 15. To me, these 2 amps are like apples and oranges. YMMV.

rpsands · #8 08-18-2010, 09:34 AM

If I were to buy one of the MB rigs it would be two MB115s. They sound the best of the ones I've heard by far (way better than the MB210) and are pretty ridiculously loud.

I've heard they take effects pretty well too, so they're kinda like powered cabs with how light they are. For 400 bucks, a powered cab is ridiculously cheap

father of fires · #9 08-18-2010, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpsands

If I were to buy one of the MB rigs it would be two MB115s. They sound the best of the ones I've heard by far (way better than the MB210) and are pretty ridiculously loud.

I've heard they take effects pretty well too, so they're kinda like powered cabs with how light they are. For 400 bucks, a powered cab is ridiculously cheap

Exactly. I just need someone who is smarter than me to figure out what's the flattest EQ setting on these. I've seen it on other GK models. http://personalpages.tds.net/~fdeck/bass/gkbl600.pdf

Maybe it's the same.

Or I could just run my preamp into the aux in.

Adam Bomb · #10 08-18-2010, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by father of fires

My younger self would kick my ass. But, my older more mature self is liking the idea.

LOL +1.

As you might guess, it sounds like a good idea to me. The MB210 grills at least are on there pretty good, with several screws. They don't pop off.

Modern gear disguised as vintage rocks. Check this dude out:

(The Awesome Show Off Your Amp Thread!!)

--Bomb

Adam Bomb · #11 08-18-2010, 11:20 AM

Oop - the good part:

(http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showpo...&postcount=198)

--Bomb

father of fires · #12 08-18-2010, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Bomb

LOL +1.

As you might guess, it sounds like a good idea to me. The MB210 grills at least are on there pretty good, with several screws. They don't pop off.

Modern gear disguised as vintage rocks. Check this dude out:

(The Awesome Show Off Your Amp Thread!!)

--Bomb

I saw that. It's pretty bad-ass.

Wes Whitmore · #13 08-18-2010, 11:45 AM

I used to pack 2 combos at shows. Mine were heavier RB210 combos with ceramic speakers. Double everything is good when you are gigging and need to make sure that you have something to produce sound. You get two preamps, two amps, 2 cabinets (that can be used independantly). Just run a send out of one into the return of the other, and control both cabs with one volume knob. You can also leave one at home, and one at practice, then grab them both for the show.

Wes

father of fires · #14 08-18-2010, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wes Whitmore

I used to pack 2 combos at shows. Mine were heavier RB210 combos with ceramic speakers. Double everything is good when you are gigging and need to make sure that you have something to produce sound. You get two preamps, two amps, 2 cabinets (that can be used independantly). Just run a send out of one into the return of the other, and control both cabs with one volume knob. You can also leave one at home, and one at practice, then grab them both for the show.

Wes

This guy gets it. Although there is no effects loop in the MB115. I would need to get a good splitter and the good ones are pricey.

rpsands · #15 08-18-2010, 12:10 PM

The MB115 preamp feels like it'd be easy to dial in flat...email GK support and tell them you want it ruler flat, and I am sure they will help you.

My Mb500 feels flat with about 2 clicks off of bass, 2 off of treble, and 1 click added to high mids, but I could be crazy

evenintheshower · #16 08-18-2010, 01:28 PM

I almost posted a thread about this issue, but instead of the MB115, I was thinking about doing it with the MB212. Got a big outdoor gig? Okay, take two MB212s, stack them vertically, split the signal from the bass into each combo, set up each amp's settings identically, and then you have a 1000 watt, 4x12 rig weighing under 80 lbs!

I haven't purchased the MB212 yet, but I need a new amp. I was concerned, however, that the MB 212 didn't have the ability to add a cabinet, so I thought that this would be one possibility if I went with the MB212.

father of fires · #17 08-18-2010, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evenintheshower

I almost posted a thread about this issue, but instead of the MB115, I was thinking about doing it with the MB212. Got a big outdoor gig? Okay, take two MB212s, stack them vertically, split the signal from the bass into each combo, set up each amp's settings identically, and then you have a 1000 watt, 4x12 rig weighing under 80 lbs!

I haven't purchased the MB212 yet, but I need a new amp. I was concerned, however, that the MB 212 didn't have the ability to add a cabinet, so I thought that this would be one possibility if I went with the MB212.

Sounds like a great idea. I just started drinking the MB series cool aid so my opinion is worth squat but, if you like the MB212 and wish it were louder, then buy another. If you don't hear a difference between the 210 and the 212 then then the 210 IS a good choice for expandability. If you can hear something special about the 212 that the 210 doesn't have then your original idea sounds great. Whew! Did that make any sense?

gregoire1 · #18 08-18-2010, 02:00 PM

I guess I never thought about it, but 2 MB115's would be the ultimate redundant rig, but idealy, wouldn't you use one as a slave amp? Could you use the headphone out of one combo to power the aux in on the slave? No fussing over EQ's.? (I now see where this was already mentioned)

Adam Bomb · #19 08-18-2010, 02:16 PM

A pair of MB212s would be MONSTROUS. And not even all that spensive for what you'd get. And not heavy.

I split signal with my last pedal.

--Bomb

father of fires · #20 08-18-2010, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregoire1

I guess I never thought about it, but 2 MB115's would be the ultimate redundant rig, but idealy, wouldn't you use one as a slave amp? Could you use the headphone out of one combo to power the aux in on the slave? No fussing over EQ's.? (I now see where this was already mentioned)

You would have to experiment to see what would be the best set up but, I would try that.

I plan to use them as two cheap powered cabs that just so happen to have a kick-ass GK preamp attached to them.